Surely California Mobile Home Services can’t be all bad but my most recent experience leaves me absolutely baffled! I’ve hired them twice (April of 2001 and Feb of 2009) for nearly $3,000 worth of work, which included their recommendations of a new furnace and some additional piers. Let me say their contract specifically states, “Free semi-annual inspections on all work.” I recall contacting them once in the past reminding them of their semi-annual inspection, but can’t honestly say how many times they might have contacted me over the years. Okay, with some history out of the way, here’s my beef with their visit last week. Their gal called to say reps would be in the area today…you know the drill. I invited the reps to stop by since I might be interested in re-leveling. When Sean and Jake got here I made a point of telling them that I not only use more gas than any of my neighbors but that on a cold day my furnace can run non-stop for hours. After the inspection, Sean recommended $3,250 in piers, although they’ve done piers for me in the past. (No itemization, just an amount written on their card; giving me no way for price comparisons.) The money is in the piers…let’s sell them more piers. It’s impossible to say exactly what was done in 2001 since their $1,467 invoice only says, “Work completed on mobile home.” When Sean came out from under my mobile home upon completing his inspection this past week my understanding of one of his comments was that the duct work connecting to the furnace was laying on the ground. I was appalled that he didn’t fix it while he was under there. He said he didn’t have any duct tape, but also didn’t ask me if I had anything that could be used temporarily for such an easy fix. I used to take care of this stuff myself, but now in my old age and disabilities, I’m forced to put my trust in others. I tell these guys, “If it isn’t something you’d do on your own home, by God don’t do it on mine”!
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